Jason Isringhausen convinced the Mets to give him a spring training invite following a tryout in February, looked good enough in camp to factor into their plans at age 38, and then agreed to stay behind in extended spring training while they sorted out other bullpen options.

His patience has paid off, as the Mets designated Blaine Boyer for assignment yesterday and added Isringhausen to the bullpen along with Ryota Igarashi.

For now the Mets are carrying 13 pitchers, which means an eight-man bullpen, but assuming they don’t continue with that ridiculousness all season Isringhausen will definitely have to impress to keep his spot once Jason Bay returns from the disabled list.

Mike Mazzeo of ESPNNewYork.com notes that the Mets’ bullpen has allowed 21 runs on 45 hits in 34 innings thus far, so there’s nothing to lose in seeing if Isringhausen still has a little gas left in the tank despite last being effective in 2007.

How can you not pull for this guy? He’s been a class act all his up and down career. And yeah, the Mutts have nothing to lose. When your bullpen spends as much if not more time punching out duffers as opposing batters, there’s really no bottom line.